Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $29,258 track close to the $31,057 national median for Health and Physical Education/Fitness programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
A 9.1x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.
The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Health and Physical Education/Fitness career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $21,345 against $29,258/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
A #361 ranking among 529 Health and Physical Education/Fitness programs places Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 45% earnings increase from $29,258 to $42,513 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.